Manifolding device



May 18, 1937. w G BQRCHERS 2,080,803

MANIFOLDING DEVI CE Filed Dec. 29, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 18, 1937. G, BBRcHERs 2,080,03 4

LiANIFOLDING DEVICE w. G. BORCHERS 2,980,803

MANIFOLDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 18 1913 7.-

. Patented May 18, 1937 PATENT. OFFICE,

momma nnv cn William G. Borchers, Hoboken,'N. J., assignor to Antographic Register Company, lioboken, N. 1., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 29, 1933, Serial'No. 704,411

15 Claims.

. This invention relates to manifolding devices for typewriters, and more particularly, to flat bed typewriters, such as the Elliott-Fisher book typewriter.

It is an object of this invention to provide an attachment for typewriters whereby printing may be blocked out of one or more forms in a set ofsuperposed strips. In certain branches of business it is desirable to make an order with 10 duplicate, triplicate or even more copies of a single order for use by the cost, factory, shipping and other departments, and with some of'these orders it is preferable. that the price, the customer's name and address or other data can be 15 withheld, although it is necessarily included on certain of the other copies in a superposed set. The present invention provides a simple, novel and highly useful arrangement for accomplishing this objective. 7

It is another object of this invention to provide a device, of the character justset forth, which will be moved automatically inttrthe opcrative blocking out position when a. new set of forms is moved into working position relative o the platen, and which may be easily and quickly moved to an inoperative position when it is desired to print on all the superposed forms.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a blocking out sheet which is autorespect to the platen, top'worksheet strip and printing mechanism each time a new setof forms in a set of worksheet strips is moved onto the platen. In one form this is accomplished through the provision of a weight on the leading edge of the block-out sheet which establishes a gravity bond with the record strip and thereby travels. conJointly with this strip into a posion overlying the-platen.

Another feature is the provision of a plurality of blocking out sheets supported by the attachment of the present invention and adapted to be moved into operative position automatically as 45 '1. set of forms is moved into operative position on the platen and which may be used to block out the data on the original record strip and selected copy strips.

And still another feature is the provision of a 50 blocking out sheet which is made of transparent material so that data which are to be typed into i 0 set of forms may be properly aligned with printed sections of the forms even though the facing printed form is not to be typed upon.

55 The device of the present invention may be matically moved into the operative position with used equally well with both roll, straight and fla pack stationery.

And yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of a blocking out sheet carr er which is so arranged that a worn or used set of blocking out sheets may be easily and quickly replaced on the carrier with a new and unused set of blocking out sheets.

. Other features and advantages will after appear.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a flat platen type-- writer with'portions of the frame broken away to show, in part, the attachment of the present invention. t

Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of the blocking out sheetsand carrier of the present inven-' tion.

i Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a pedestal and writing pad of a book typewriter looking at the device from the top and front or operator's side.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the attachment of the present invention, partly in section, applied to the frame of a book style typewriter.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional viewof the blocking out device of the present invention in the forward or operative position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of. the blocking out device of the present invention in-the back or inoperative position,

Fig. 7 is a detail view similar to Fig. 6, but shows the device in the forward or operative position.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the work table,- and main frame of the present invention.

The invention, in its present preferred form, is disclosed as embodied in the well-known Elliott-Fisher book typewriter. It comprises the usual pedestal l2, supporting tracks or rails I3- between which-there is mounted a platen H on which worksheet strips ii are supported in interhereinleaved condition with carbon strips It to receive succession of forms. The spacing between letters and lines is effected by movement of the print-- ing device over the platen. Accordingly, it is only after a set of forms has been written upon and is ready to be severed from the one following that the strips are advanced.

' dium to the next succeeding lower strips; in which continuous transfer strips are interleaved with the continuous record and copy strips in the now well-known manner; or an arrangement wherein the transfer strips are supported on a play-off reel is and take-up reel 20 on opposite sides of the platen i4 and passed transversely between theg=recrd and copy strips. This latter arrangement is also well known and is preferably used because it minimizes smudging and is very economical.

It is also within the purview of the present invention to use the blocking out device with various types of strip-feeding and aligning arrangements. For example, it might be used without change in a typewriter providing a pin wheel feed on the marginal edges of the strip. Various types of aligning devices are used in typewriters of this kind to either align a set of forms on the platen M or to draw the forms flat and taut thereon. For the purpose of illustration, the structure shown in the present drawings corresponds with the aligning device 2| described in detail in my copending application Serial No. 551,076, filed July 16, 1931. Briefly, it comprises a set of primary or retracting pins 22 on a rotatable cross rod 23 adapted to enter cooperating holes 2 in the paper strips I! as a set of forms It reaches the operative position over the platen l4, and a secondary set of holding pins 25 on the platen adapted to align and limit retractive movement of the strips as the primary pins 22 rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs.

4 and 5 under the influence of a tension spring 26.

Successive sets of forms are, according to' the present showing, moved onto the platen by raising the knife edge 21 to the position shown in Fig. 3 througha regular pedal arrangement (not shown) on the pedestal then grasping the set of strips at their leading edge and pulling them forwardly. The secondary pins 25 are slightly hook-shaped and are rounded at the back so that the strips ride thereover when pulled toward the front of the machine and during this pulling movement the primary pins 22 and the rod 23' are rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5, until the then associated holes 24 in the paper strip move free of the pins. As the strips are pulled forwardly approximately one form-length the next-succeeding set of apertures 24 are engaged by theprimary pins 22 apprising the operator that the lead form is properly advanced over the platen and the operator books the lead apertures over the secondary nns 2! while the primary pins, in their rotative movement on the rod 23, align the superposed strips on the platen through themedium of the secondary pins and at the same time draws all the superposed strips taut upon the platen..

Although this aligning arrangement may be built integral with the regular rails l3 of the typewriter, it is, because of its limited application,

cross bars 34 and 35 of the typewriter by hooks 34a and 35a.

The attachment frame is provided with a set of vertical arms 3 for supporting a roll 31 of sup rposed strips It and with a table 33 to support a zig-zag folded pile of superposed stripe (not shown) should they be preferred rather than the roll type. A rod 39 in the slot 40 resting upon the roll 31 serves as a brake to prevent exessive unrolling. If zig-zag folded stationery is used-the strips are passed from the top of the pile on the table over the cross rod 32 as shown by dot-and-dash lines ll thence downwardly again around the smaller cross rod 42 and up again below the cross bar 43 and over the primary pin rod 23, the latter path as with the roll type ture of a standard set-up; viz, an arrangement in which a complete set of forms is given a full' set of type impressions. Or, as another example, a set-up in which every type impression on the top sheet is transferred to all the copy forms below. There is no provision inthe structure so .far described for blocking out certain lines of writing or type impressions on either the top record strip or any one or more of the lower copy strips. Structure for this purpose is the important provision of the present invention. It is about to be described and should, therefore, be noted particularly.

In'its present preferred form, the deleting or blocking out structure, provided by the present invention, comprises one or more blocking out sheets 44, adapted .to be superposed upon the record strip lid and interposed upon the copy strips lib and lie, as may best be seen in Figs. 3, 6 and 7. Preferably, these blocking out sheets are made of the same width or slightly wider than the worksheet strips and slightly longer than the individual sets of forms. Support and connection of these sheets relative to the attachment is'provided through the medium of a cross bar 45, made of aluminum or other light weight material, adapted tobe passed through sockets 43 or like extensions on the sheets, preferably outside the area of the strips l5 and adapted to ride in a-pair of slots 41 in the plates 29. These slots, providing a rim 48 upon which the cross bar rides, may be formed in the rails of the typewriter, but for economy are preferably made integral with the side plates 28 of the removable frame 33 portion of the work strip aligning and supporting attachment. The side rails l3 of the typewriter serve to prevent transverse shifting of. the cross bar 45 relative to the attachment plates 23 after the. frame 38 is dropped into place between the rails and fastened to the typewriter. If it is desired to block out type impressions only on the top or record strip lie the cross bar 45 is provided with only a single block out sheet a having at its front end a small weight 43. Loading of the machine with this'type of set-up is accomplished by merely pulling the leading set of forms l3, part of the pile of worksheet strips I, from the roll 31 upwardly and over the primary pin rod 23 then toward the front of the typewriter passing the record strip lie between the underside of the block out sheet a and the cross rod 45 and then over the top transfer strip l3 and the copy strips llb and lie between proper transfer strips It over the platen it until the apertures 24 are hooked over the pins 25. Thus, in loaded condition, the blocking out sheet a is only on the top or record strip. As the foremost set of forms is moved onto the platen I4 theweight l9, portion of the blocking out sheet a, establishes a frictional bond with the record strip [a and travels therewith conjointly into aposition overlyingthe platen and remains in this position while the foremost set of forms is snapped over the hook pins 25 and drawn taut by the primary pins 22 in the manner hereinbeforedescribed.

In use, it is preferable that the operatorz first, make the type impressions which it is desired to have appear on the copy strips lib and We but notsto have appear on the top record sheet l5a. In this the type impressions are made upon the blocking out sheet 44:: rather than on the top record form as the successive lower copy forms I52: and I50, which have an overlying transfer medium in the form of transfer strips l5, each take the type impression.

After the confidential typing has been made with the blocking out sheet in operative position overlying the platen, according to the present invention, the blocking out sheet may be,easily and quickly moved to an inoperative position relative to the forms l8, platen l4 and printing mechanism H by merely pushing against the cross bar 45 atone or both sides thereof upon the sockets 4B or by grasping this section of the cross bar and pulling it rearwardly into the position shown substantially in Fig. 6 where the cross bar engages with the back end of the slot 48.

Thereafter, the operator may continue typing, but now in the regular manner; viz, every type impression will appear on the top record form as well as the lower copy forms. After the form strip l5ais again pulled forwardly automaticalhas been completely filled, or the necessary entries have been made, theknife bar 21 is raised, the leading edge of the strips I5 is grasped and the set pulled forwardly the equivalent of one 1y so thatthe blocking out sheet 44a is on the new working set of forms over the platen, this latter preparation being accomplished entirely automatically and without any conscientious effort upon the part of the operator. The typing operation is then completed in the manner just described.

In some omces and places of use it may be preferable to block out typed data on certain of the copy sheets rather than on the top record sheet. For such cases, the present invention provides a blocking out sheet I; carried by the cross bar 45 which may be located above the copy sheet on which type impressions are to be blocked out and underlying the, transfer strip or medium, which it is desired to render inoperative. For

example, if it is desired to delete type impres-- sions on the lowermost copy form We the top record strip and first copystrip are passed over the crossbar 45 and the lowermost copy strip l5c is passed underneath the blocking out sheet 44b thence forwardly in proper interleaved position with respect to'the transfer strips l5. as may best be seen in Figs. 6 and 7. As the first set of forms 'are drawn forwardly into the platen l4 a frictional bond, resulting from'theweight of the toprecord strip Ila and first cop strip lib resting indirectly upon the blocking out sheet 44b and in eflect clamping the sheet between themv selves and the bottom copy strip, draws the sheetv 44b and crossbar 45 forwardly until movement is stopped by the cross bar engaging the forward ends of the slots 48 in the side plates 29.

Thereaftenthe operator types that data which it is desired to have appear on the record strip |5a and first copy strip l5b and'not appear on the second copy strip I50.v After such impressions have been made the operator merely pushes or pulls the cross bar 45 into the backor inoperative position where movement is stopped by the back end of the slot 48. The slot and sheet 44b length is proportioned to still permit the front end of the blocking out sheet to remain under the transfer strip IS in a top. area thereof which is not used for type impressions. This latter provision serves to insure travel of the blocking out sheet between the transfer strip and the second copy strip. After the blocking out sheet is moved to the inoperative position the operator may continue with the regular typing in which impressions are made on allthree copies.

When the set of formshas been filled with all necessary data, the straight edge 21 is raised; the lead end of the worked set of forms is grasped and pulled one form-length, the next succeeding apertures are aligned with the secondary pins 25 and the filled forms severed along the knife edge. At the same time the untyped: set of forms is moved onto the" platen l4, the

just described in detail. Such an arrangement is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7; Although two blocking out sheets areprovided, the lpading and operation of the blocking out device Just the same as that described hereinbefore for the individual sheets, the only difl'erence mig t be termed a combination gravity bond 'conf tion' and frictional bond connection between the blocking out device and the travelling worksheet Although only asingle sheet is shown strips. for interpositioning and for blocking out matter on asingle copy sheet two or more of such interpositioned sheets hmay be provided on the one. cross bar 45 if it is desired to block out data on two copy strips in a three strip pile or where it is desired to block out data on two or more'copy strips of a pile containing several 'copy strips.

In its preferred form the blocking out structure of the present invention is made as a unitary device comprising a combined main frame,

5i and work table 52, as shown in Fig. 8. having plates 25 of the aligning device frame 55 or for connection to the side rails I: of the typewriter with bolts 54. The table is provided with integral turned-up flanges 55' on each side of the table having slots 41a for accommodating the cross downturned ears 53 for connection to the side which is like the frame 5! in all respects excepting for the omission of side flanges $5. With this type of structure the cross bar is made just long enough to fit within the side rails of the typewriter ifno aligning device is used and just wide enough to slidably fit within the side plates of the aligning device if the latter is used.

It is desirable to align the printing from the mechanism I! with sections of the top forms It, like the lines 56 and-spaces 51, and, so that this may be done advantageously, the present invention provides the top blocking out sheet a to be made of transparent material, linen tracing cloth being very satisfactory for this purpose.v The lower blocking out sheets b may be made of the same material. The cost of these sheets is so small that a new set of forms may be provided very economically to replace the one set after it contains so much typing that the form below it cannotbe made out or be seen clearly. In this replacement it is not necessary to provide a new cross bar 45 or weight ll. Both of these bars are easily and quickly slipped from the used set of sheets into the new unused sheet or set of sheets.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention and portions of the improvements may be used withstrips are advanced form-length extents to bring a fresh form to writing position thereon; a

frame; means for aligning said strips over said platen; means for supporting carbon paper between said worksheet strips; and blocking-out {means having a connection with said frame -.and -movable.thereon in the direction of travel of the'worksheet strips into an operative and in reverse direction into an inoperative position relative to the strips on the platen and the printing mechanism and including .a flexible sheet superimposed on' the uppermost worksheet strip to prevent writing from being producedanywhere on a form-length thereof when the blocking-out means is in operative position.

2. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of record and copy 'strips are advancedform-length extents to bring a new set of forms to writing position thereon; a frame; means for aligning said strips on-the platen; a mechanism for printing on said strips over said platen; blocking-out means having a connection with said frame and movable thereon in .the

directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an, operative position between the record strip and the printing mechanism and to an inoperative position relative to the record strip overlying the platen and to the printing mechanism; and a weight on said blocking-out means resting upon the record strip forming a gravity bond with the strip and thereby effecting conioint movement 'of the'blocking-out means with the record strip into the writingposition on the platen. r

3. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of record and copy strips are advanced form-length extents to bring a new set of forms to writing position thereon; a frame;'means for i aligning said strips on the platen; a mechanism for printing on said strips over said platen; and blocking-out means having a connection with said frame and movable thereon in the directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative position overlying one or more copy strips and the platen and to an inoperative position relative to the record strip overlying the platen and to the printing mechanism, said blocking-out means being located between the worksheet strips and forming a frictional bond therewith so as to be drawn into operative position on the platen and under the printing mechanism as a new set of forms is moved into this position.

4. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of worksheet strips are advanced formlength extents to bring a fresh form to writing position thereon; a frame; a mechanism A for printing on said forms over said platen; a cross bar having a sliding connection with the frame and held to the frame by said connection; and blocking out means having a connection with said cross bar and movable therewith in the directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative position and inoperative position relative to the forms on the platen and printing mechanism. I

5. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of worksheet strfps are advanced formlength extents to bring a fresh form to writing position thereon; a frame; a mechanism for printing on said forms over said platen; a cross bar having a sliding connection with the frame-and held .to the frame by said connection; and a blocking out sheet connected to said cross bar and 4 adapted to be moved therewith in the directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative and inoperative position relative to the formson the platen on the printing mechanism.

6. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of worksheet strips are advanced formlength extents to bring a fresh set of forms to writing position thereon; a frame; a mechanism for printing on said forms over said platen; a cross bar having a sliding connection with the frame and held to the frame by said connection;

and a plurality of blocking out sheets having a connection with the' cross bar, adapted to be so arranged as to be capable 'of superpositioning upon the top or record strip'and interpositioning upon selected copy strips, and movable therewith in the directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative position and inoperative position relative to the forms on the platen and to the printing'meehanism. v

7. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of worksheet strips having printed forms thereon are advanced form-length extents to bring a fresh set of forms to writing positionthereon; a-frame; a mechanism for typing on said forms over said platen; a cross bar having a slid- .ing connection with the frame; and a blocking out sheet connected to said cross bar and adapted to be moved therewith in the directions of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative and inoperative position relative to the forms on the platen on the printing mechanism, said blocking-out sheet being adapted to overlie the uppermost strip and being transparent to-disclose therethrough the printed form in typing position.

8. A typewriter having a platen'over which a plurality of worksheet'strips areadvanced formcross bar having a sliding connection with the frame; and a pluralityofblocking out sheets having a connection with the cross bar, adapted to be superposed on the top or record strip and interposed upon selected copy strips, and movable therewith in the directions 'of travel of the record and copy strips into an operative'position and inoperative position relative to the forms on the platen and to the printing mechanism, automatically moved into the operative position as a new set of forms are so advanced and capable of being moved to the inoperative position without disturbing the forms on the platen.

9. A typewriter having a platen over which a plurality of worksheetstrips are advanced formlength extents to bring a fresh set of forms to writing position thereon; a frame; means for printing on said forms over said platen including a transfer medium between said strips; a cross bar, of a greater width. than the paper strips, having a sliding connection with the frame; and a plurality of blocking out sheets carried by the cross bar, one of said sheets andthe cross-bar being interposed between one set of strips, said sheets having a connection with said cross bar at a section thereof in its width beyond the lateral edges of said strips.

10. A typewriter having a platen over which a record strip is advanced form-lengths; a frame;

means for connecting said frame to the typewriter; mechanism for printing on said record strip; a blocking-out sheet; a table on said frame; a lightweight bar having a connection with said sheet and supported on said table for movement in the direction of travel of said strip with the sheet toward and from the platen; and a heavy- 40 weight bar alsohaving a connection with said sheet and with the latter resting on the record strip and establishing a gravity bond thereto adapted to pull the sheet and associated lightweight bar into operative position with respect 65 plurality of worksheet strips are advanced form-- length extents; a frame; 'a printing a transfer ribbon between said strips so that a single operation of said printing mechanism writes on all of the forms supported by the .platemmeans for locking said strips on the platremain in locked operative position on the platen. 13. In a blocking-out device for typewriters,

a frame; a'blockingout sheet; a carrier bar supported by said frame; a weight bar; and sockets on said'blocking-out sheet removably connecting said carrier and weight bars to the sheet.

14. An attachment for typewriters having a frame and a fiat platen supported thereby over which a plurality of worksheet strips is advanced form-length extents, said attachment comprising a frame; means for connecting the latter to the typewriter frame at the rear or introductory side .of the platen; blocking-out means including blocking-out sheets adapted to be superimposed on worksheet strips supported on the platen; a carrier for said sheets siidably mounted 'on said attachment frame and movable thereon in the reverse direction to that of travel ofthe worksheet strips to withdraw the blocking-out sheets from operative position over the platen; and a table on said attachment frame for supporting the blocking out sheets when withdrawn from the platen.

15. An attachment for typewriters having a frame and a flat platen supported thereby over which a plurality of worksheet strips having transversely disposed carbon strips is advanced form-length extents. said attachment comprising a frame; means for connecting the latter to the typewriter frame-at the tear or introductory side of the platen; blocking-out means including blocking-out sheets adapted to be disposed-between worksheet strips supported on the platen; a carrier for said sheets siidably mounted on said attachment frame and movable thereon in the reverse direction to that of travel of the work- -sheet strips to withdraw the blocking-out sheets from operative position over the platen; and means on said attachment frame and on said carrier for limiting the withdrawal movement of the carrier and blocking-out sheets .so that the edges of the same are not withdrawn beyond the rear edges of the carbon strips.

' WILLIAM G. no'acnnas. 

